1 Samuel 13:5
And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.
The Philistines pitched at Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven and north of a deep valley opposite Israel's stronghold at Geba, with thirty thousand chariots, described as iron chariots, six thousand horsemen, and people as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Against that vast, well-drilled force stood only Saul's small company at Gilgal, almost unarmed and unprepared.
The overwhelming outward appearance put Israel in a strait and terrified the people. Many hid in caves and thickets and rocks and high places and pits, some fled across the Jordan to Gad and Gilead, and those who remained scattered from Saul and followed him trembling in fear of the coming battle. God permitted the crisis as a sore trial to test Saul and Israel, to reveal Saul's heart and expose his perversity, and to teach Israel humility and faith.
The distress was the setting for Saul's test of waiting only a few hours for Samuel, to reveal whether he would look to God and obey orders from heaven instead of looking at outward appearances, becoming fearful and impatient and forcing himself into sacred office by offering the sacrifice himself. Saul cited the Philistine presence as his reason for fear and impatience, but that military threat did not excuse his disobedience.